Fields of Fulgrite

Strong winds draped across the grassy plains, the Warden's teal-hued scarf flowing gracefully in the air . His vibrant leaves of red and magenta contrasted the dreary palette of the surrounding barrens. Across the field, another figure stood before him, a towering height by comparison. Every inch of his sturdy frame was magically encasing itself in layers of stone and sand. Binding together and forming a protective suit of earth, the geomancer raised a stone-covered fist.

"Your talents could have made better use elsewhere. I would say I'm disappointed, but now I'd much rather indulge in the sweet satisfaction in finally seeing your demise."


The Warden threw the end of his scarf over his shoulders. "That remains to be seen."

"I almost thought you were not going to show, but it required far less bodies than I thought to bring you here Lanaerys." The stone man maintained his stoic position, almost frozen in time if not for his mouth running. Lanaerys lowered his head, narrowing his sights on his opponent. His blade quickly unsheathed.

"You promised to let those villagers go. And so I am here." He pointed his blade forward. It was thin and precise, elegant in craftsmanship. Forged from root and thorns, a relic of the Mordrem Wars. "Let them go Gerrick."

The short moment of silence was cut with a rumbling laugh as the geomancer bellowed out. "I promised to let them go if you would face me in battle. If you dare so as to try and flee, my men will slaughter every last one of them." Gerrick's stance shifted, feet spreading apart. Eager for the battle to come.

"I am a Warden of the Grove now. You can no longer convince me to follow another path-" his words were cut short with Gerrick's interjection.

"I care not for what allegiances, or other, foolish decisions you have made otherwise. I carry no more ties to the Vultures of Dajkah. This is not about them, or Elona. A nation that has endured as long as I have can endure a little longer. None of that matters now. Not your Dream or 'Nightmare'. None of it." The ground shifted beneath his feet, rocks and pebbles floated off the ground. "The only thing that matters is you and I standing here. Now."


Lanaerys did his best to mask his frown. His empath pulsing louder and louder, static buzzing heating up his mind. Did he really come all this way just for me? The thought sat in his mind. There was no way out, nor would there be any running. It was time. If there was one thing he knew it was Gerrick always spoke in absolutes, and he was deliberate with both his words and actions. Nothing can sway his thoughts once they leave his mouth. He was as stubborn and resilient as the very earth that enveloped him.

For a brief moment, Gerrick could hear the stillness in the air. The eye of the storm was upon them and it wasn't long before those blowings winds began to pick up once more. This time however they'd draw towards the heroic Warden, encircling him as he gathered his magic. Gerrick smiled, his face soon disappeared beneath a mask of stone. The duel had begun.

Lanaerys' fists ignited with electricity, conjuring a spell to fire off a lightning bolt towards the earthen juggernaut. Flashes of light and crackling thunder paved the trail towards Gerrick. The lightning bolt struck him directly, scattering fragments of rock and flames. The rest of the attack absorbed into his earthen skin, and trailed it's way down into the ground. Gerrick shoved off the attack, the spell barely stopping his advance. He stomped onward at a deliberate pace, ripping off large chunks of earth and stone from the ground and launching them at Lanaerys.

The Warden swiftly dodged the barrage, dashing around. He had done this dance before. Gerrick earth armor was tough and resilient, but he moved slow, no faster than a march. Gerrick preferred to fight up close and the majority of his attacks were punches and stomps. Strong and powerful haymakers but slow and clearly telegraphed. Lanaerys was far too nimble to be an easy target for such attacks, leaving Gerrick to swing wildly at thin air. However, the Warden struggled to penetrate Gerrick's defenses. Despite the glaring contrast in mobility, Gerrick's protective enchantment seemed almost impenetrable to any of the sylvari's nimble attacks.